Colin B. Vandell

Representative Matters

Entertainment and Media

• Represented a production company in a breach of contract and business tort dispute involving financing, production, and distribution of a sci-fi television series. Successfully enabled the series to be completed on an expanded scale
• Represented a renowned musician and his business entities in a breach of contract and business tort dispute initiated by a former business partner. Removed action to federal court and pursued California Labor Commissioner proceedings arising from purported Talent Agencies Act violations. Obtained an expedited favorable resolution for the client
• Facilitated new employment agreements on behalf of the cast of a hit television series in connection with the application of California’s Seven-Year Rule
• Represented a multinational health and fitness company in a California right of publicity action involving a model’s claims of unlicensed use of her image via product packaging and advertisements. Favorably resolved the matter subsequent to plaintiff’s deposition
• Represented a leading online music services provider in multiple copyright lawsuits filed by songwriters regarding Top 40 songs. Obtained dismissal, settlement, and/or indemnification in each matter
• On behalf of a digital service provider, defeated an adult content website's copyright claims regarding thumbnail images of purportedly protected visual content

Real Estate

• Represented a Fortune 500 energy services company in more than 50 mass tort actions in trial court and mediation, brought by individual and institutional plaintiffs in connection with wildfires in Southern California. Resolved each matter and obtained dismissal with prejudice of the final pending wildfire-related case
• Represents a trust beneficiary in a breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, and fraud action involving a complex purchase and donation of a Palm Beach County, Florida property for use by a renowned scientific research institute, including related taxation issues involving charitable deductions
• Represented a real estate development company in a breach of contract, fraudulent concealment, and negligence action against the seller of a more than 1,600 acre undeveloped property in Ventura County, California. Prevailed in arbitration before a panel of three former appellate justices
• Successfully pursued claims on behalf of a high-net-worth individual in a real property and tort dispute arising from the breakup of a personal relationship. The dispute involved five related actions in multiple jurisdictions, unlawful detainer, and pursuit of unpaid judgments

Trusts and Estates

• Represented the trustee of an estate spanning the United States and Europe, with multi-jurisdictional claims of undue influence against the decedent’s recent spouse. Negotiated a resolution precluding respondent from seizing control of the estate and included assets
• Represented a charitable foundation in a multi-jurisdictional probate dispute involving a more than $500 million estate, breach of fiduciary duty allegations, and coordination with government entities. Favorably resolved, ensuring the foundation’s long-term financial support
• Pursuing and defending claims in probate court involving more than $100 million in complex financial and real estate assets across California and other states, including minority interests for distribution, on behalf of the widow and young son of a decedent real estate developer
• Represented multiple beneficiaries of a more than $60 million California trust against trustee, with breach of fiduciary duty and self-dealing claims involving U.S. and international financial and real estate assets. Successfully obtained early distributions for clients

Hospitality

• Represented a global hospitality company in a partnership dispute involving a leading hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, involving such claims as contractual allegations and breaches of fiduciary duty. Defeated substantive claims on summary adjudication
• Represented an international hotel chain in multiple health/safety and contractual disputes with guests, including in response to tenancy claims. Successfully resolved matters both pre-trial and at trial
• Represented an international hotel chain in a consumer class action regarding the use and disclosure of resort fees. Client and other defendants prevailed on summary judgment, which was upheld on appeal
• Pursued breach of contract and trade secret claims on behalf of a market-leading health and wellness brand global franchisor against a former franchisee. Successfully obtained a consent award in arbitration, including monetary damages, injunctive relief, and non-disparagement
• Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of a franchisee of a global restaurant chain in a dispute related to the calculation and distribution of royalty payments

Consumer Products

• Represented a consumer financing entity in a class action brought by individuals asserting claims related to rental-purchase fees. Achieved a stay of mass arbitrations and then full dismissal of claims after exposing opposing counsel’s improper solicitations to obtain opt-outs from a prior class action settlement
• Represented an international fashion label in a lease dispute regarding a flagship store in Beverly Hills. Successfully procured the termination of the lease
• Represented a Fortune 100 home products retailer against environmental and false advertising allegations arising from the marketing and sale of paint products, resulting in a negotiated dismissal of claims
• Defeated a clothing designer’s trade secret and copyright claims regarding t-shirt designs on behalf of a clothing manufacturer

Education

• J.D. University of Virginia School of Law 2005
• • Editor-in-chief, Virginia Sports & Entertainment Law Journal
  • Executive editor, Journal of Law & Politics
• B.A. summa cum laude Rice University 2002
• • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

• California
• District of Columbia

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Chair, LGBTQ @ Venable
• Member, Venable Hiring Committee
• Board member, Professional Advisory Network, Motion Picture and Television Fund
• Member, Legal Council, The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
• Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association